Archive for the 'Smart Grid' Category

New Jersey Passes Slew of Renewable Energy Laws

blog renewable energy1 New Jersey Passes Slew of Renewable Energy LawsCalifornia and Massachusetts have long been bastions of clean energy. Now you can add New Jersey to the list.  Since the beginning of the year, the New Jersey State Legislature has passed several laws to promote the development of renewable energy sources.

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American Utilities: Hot for the Smart Grid and Warming to Renewable Energy

blog grid American Utilities: Hot for the Smart Grid and Warming to Renewable EnergyA new survey of American utility companies offers some very revealing information about the U.S. energy industry and renewable energy.  Black & Veatech, a construction and engineering company focused on energy and water infrastructure has published its annual “Strategic Directions in the Electric Utility Industry Survey.”  Their research shows that for the second year in a row capital spending on electric grid infrastructure by utilities has dropped — this has not happened since the days of the Great Depression in the 1930s.

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Feingold-Ensign Bill May Be a Windfall for Renewable Energy Businesses

blog capital Feingold Ensign Bill May Be a Windfall for Renewable Energy BusinessesProposed legislation in the U.S. Senate may help the renewables sector.  U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John Ensign (R-NV) have introduced renewable energy legislation that could be a boon for businesses that produce renewable energy technologies, lead to green job creation, and help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

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Need For Clean Energy Policy Still Strong

blog cleanenergy 300x201 Need For Clean Energy Policy Still StrongThose in the clean energy industry continue to play the waiting game in the policy arena.  The question remains as what type of, if any, energy and climate change legislation will be put into action in the US in 2010. I  put my own spin on things this week, heavily relying on EnergyBoom’s archives.  So, if you are trying to get caught up with what has been happening in the renewables game - join me as I venture through the dusty vaults of our past work.

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Clean Energy Funding Increased in US Government Budget

Investing in Renewable Technologies: Wind, Solar, Geotherm, Hydro, BiomassWhen it is said that United States is graduating towards a clean energy economy – it was meant that way only. The growing importance of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) within DOE is now more palpable than ever. The budget of FY 2011 testifies the same. It has been allocated a fund of 2.36 billion USD out of 28.4 billion USD budgets of DOE in FY 2011. President Barack Obama declared that on Feb 1st. The overall budget request for EERE has increased by 5% over FY2010. Of course, funds from American Recovery & Reinvestment Act are excluded from above. The various EERE programs which got the major fillip in the budget are as under: Continue reading ‘Clean Energy Funding Increased in US Government Budget’

Global Investments in Clean Energy Fell Less than Expected in 2009

Venture Capital for Energy InnovationThe economic downturn caused a decrease in clean energy investments during 2009, according to several studies. However, booming investments in Asia, particularly in China’s wind power, meant that global investments in clean energy remained stronger than expected.

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Indonesia Eyes Increased Investment with New Clean Energy Tax Incentives

Renewable Energy Government Incentive ProgramsRenewable energy has not been developing at the pace the Indonesian government desires; so, it is creating better tax incentives for clean energy projects. To encourage investment, the government has decreed that it will reduce net tax by 5% annually for six years on the total amount of one’s investment.  Additionally, foreign investors will receive a lower tax rate for all dividend payments.

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Power Industry Speaks Out on Impending Energy Legislation

Utility Leaders David Crane, Anthony Earley and David Ratcliffe to Discuss Industry Response to Sweeping Law Changes – Congress is set to possibly adopt the most sweeping environmental and energy law in generations to address issues such as energy efficiency, renewables development and carbon emissions. Caught in this tidal wave of change are utilities and energy providers, pressured by recession-related drops in energy sales and rising demand for infrastructure investment. Energy Central announced that utility leaders David Crane, Anthony Earley and David Ratcliffe will provide insight as to how the industry plans to adapt to the proposed legislative changes and other pending issues during discussion and Q&A at the EnergyBiz Leadership Forum (http://budurl.com/EnergyLeadership)

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Ohio Governor Hails Energy Rebirth in America’s Industrial Heartland

Ted Strickland to Detail State’s Energy Commitment during Keynote at EnergyBiz Leadership Forum

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What VC Confidence in Silver Spring Tells Us About the Smart Grid

Silver Spring Networks has closed another $100 million in financing, with some of the nation’s most highly respected venture firms signing on. But Jesse Berst suggests there’s more to this news than Silver Spring’s latest financial good fortune. He says it speaks volumes about one of the single most important market opportunities on earth right now. See what other conclusions Jesse reached after talking privately with Silver Spring executives.

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